John Martin Wagner

John M. Wagner, 86, of Montgomery, TX, passed away August 23, 2023 after an extended illness. John was born July 25, 1937 in Upper Darby, PA, the son of Curtis Allen and Helen (Martin) Wagner. He married Dorothy Ann Williams in 1963. She passed away on October 29, 1972. John married Sandra St. Phillip Garven on July 2, 1977. Sandra resides in Montgomery, Texas, where they lived for the past twenty-three years. John received a degree in Biology from Millersville State University, in PA, where he competed in Varsity Football and Wrestling. John taught Science and Coached Football/Wrestling at Lower Merion High School (PA) and then Mainland Regional High School (NJ). He then became a Sales Engineer for Gulf Oil and subsequently rose through the ranks of Gulf/Chevron retiring in 1997. John retained his passion for wrestling and served as a high school wrestling official for many years. John served in the Army’s Chemical Corp. He was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute. He was also a member of First Methodist Conroe Church. He is survived by his wife, Sandra, his son, Kurt (Nann) Wagner, of Normal, IL, and grandsons John Allen Wagner and Connor Wagner. Also surviving are Sandra’s children: Susan Garven, Gail (Scott) Schaeffer, Barbara (Louis) James, Karen (Bob) Phillips, Steve (Kit) Garven, eight grandchildren (Steve, Elizabeth, Eric, Jennifer, Carolyn, Scott, Paul, Grace), and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by granddaughter Lauren Catherine James and great-granddaughter Emerson James Schaeffer. John had a love for trains, which developed from his father’s employment with Baldwin Locomotive. He built numerous model railroads over the years. John also enjoyed photography, traveling, and decorating for Christmas, especially adorning the Christmas tree with gorgeous ornaments collected from his and Sandra’s many travels. John is most remembered for his love of fishing and enjoyed many hours on his boat, “The Reel Texan.” His son and grandsons have fond memories of many great catches with John. In later years, he found joy going down to the dock and feeding the fish in Lake Conroe. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at First Methodist Church, 4308 West Davis Street, Conroe, TX. Followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in John’s memory to the First Methodist Church Conroe, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or to a charity of the donor's choice. ————————————————————————————————————

John Martin Wagner

July 25, 1937 - August 23, 2023